Method for modifying a defined adaptive driving strategy

ABSTRACT

A method for modifying a defined adaptive driving strategy, which is stored in the control system for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, for adaptation to another type of driver with a different driving style, consists in that the parameters used for the driving strategy are modified by the other driver, the data for this being input to the transmission electronics via an input unit and an interface with the electronics.

[0001] The present invention concerns a method for modifying a defined adaptive driving strategy, which is stored in the control system for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle as a function of a plurality of parameters that characterize a particular type of driver and his driving style and of a plurality of parameters that characterize the motor vehicle and the way it drives.

[0002] Modern automatic transmissions for motor vehicles adapt themselves to the driving style of the driver by an adaptive driving strategy. This links the driver type evaluation with the adapted selection of gear and converter coupling shift characteristics with additional functions, for example recognition of the driving resistance, urban driving, a spontaneous deceleration and a spontaneous acceleration of the vehicle and the condition of the road with the low-friction value, hot running and high-temperature operation. This makes it possible to use economical, i.e., consumption-saving gear-shift characteristics when a ‘quiet’ driver is recognized. Further, a ‘sporty’ driver and driver types between these can be recognized. However, the allocation of a driver type recognized by the adaptive driving strategy to another driver can no longer be modified. Nor can the time dependence when changing from one driver type to another driver type be modified.

[0003] Known driving strategies offer the recognized driver type a defined driving strategy which is stored in the control system for the automatic transmission; for example, with a sporty driver gear-shift characteristics at higher engine speeds are used.

[0004] For example, DE C 39 22 051 describes a control device for an automatic transmission, which is intended to improve adaptation to the driving behaviour of the driver or his vehicle handling that depends on the traffic situation. For this purpose the internal combustion engine can be influenced by a power control element, for example an accelerator pedal or a throttle valve, in that transmission gear ratios are selected automatically via gear-shift programs which depend on the position of the power control element and the engine speed, and a signal proportional to the position of the power control element is detected cyclically or anticyclically. From the signal value detected a driving activity is determined and used for the selection of a gear-shift program. Besides the signal value detected for the power control element a further signal value pertaining to an operating or driving parameter of the motor vehicle, for example the driving speed, the transverse acceleration, the longitudinal acceleration and/or the longitudinal deceleration and the engine speed is determined cyclically or anticyclically, after which the signal values detected are converted via performance graphs influenced by operating or driving parameters of the motor vehicle into values of primary characteristics from which, via a switching function, a value of a secondary characteristic is obtained and a value of a first driving activity is determined as a weighted sum on the one hand from the secondary characteristic actually obtained and on the other hand from the value of a first driving activity determined a certain calculation time earlier and stored, or a number of secondary characteristic values obtained earlier and stored, this being used for the selection of a gear-shift program.

[0005] Thus, starting from a consumption-optimized gear-shift program, the control system for the automatic transmission adapts itself dynamically to the driving behaviour and the driving and traffic situations actually prevailing, without the need to actuate additional operating elements. However, no provision is made in this for the driver to manipulate the adaptive driving strategy comprehensively.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method whereby it is made possible for a driver other than the driver responsible for the defined adaptive driving strategy that has been stored, to match the gear-shift strategy more closely to his own needs.

[0007] Starting from a method of the type described in some detail earlier, this objective is achieved by the features specified in claim 1; advantageous embodiments are described in the subordinate claims.

[0008] The invention provides that to adapt to another driver type with a different style of driving, the parameters used for the driver type evaluation are modified by the driver, the data required for this being input via an input unit and an interface with the transmission electronics into the said electronics.

[0009] According to the invention it is provided that by means of a given input unit, for example the radio keys, the driver can modify selected parameters of the adaptive driving strategy for the driver type evaluation. This makes it possible to alter the time-dependence when changing from one driver type to another driver type. In addition, the driver can modify the transmission shift behaviour related to a given type of driver, for example by means of delay times, offsets and factors. This results in greater customer satisfaction, even though only a limited number of parameters can be changed in order to be sure of avoiding dangerous situations.

[0010] To modify the adaptive driving strategy, certain parameters must be made available. The driver type evaluation is of central importance for the adaptive driving strategy. It contains various evaluation functions, such as evaluation of the longitudinal acceleration, the transverse acceleration, the starting behavior and the kick-down behavior. The parameters for driver type evaluation can be modified in particular by acting upon the driving activity (i.e. the evaluation counters) or the contributions of the individual evaluation functions by means of an offset or a factor. This changes the allocation of driving activity to a defined and stored driver type. Another possibility is to modify the filtering parameters for the upper and lower specifications of driver activity or the contributions of the individual evaluation functions. This modifies the dynamic behaviour of the driver type evaluation.

[0011] The recognition of a curve can also take place earlier or later in accordance with a factor or offset. According to the curve, a factor enables the curve to be recognized earlier or later.

[0012] When the accelerator pedal is released, this can be used to activate an upshift block. This activation can be modified by virtue of an adjustable parameter. The removal of this upshift can be modified as necessary by a factor.

[0013] Similarly, if the accelerator pedal is depressed rapidly the driving activity can be spontaneously increased by increasing the evaluation counter, as a result of which a downshift is activated if necessary. This activation can be modified by an adjustable parameter.

[0014] The resetting of the driving activity is controlled for example by a delay time. A factor can be applied as an adjustable parameter to modify the delay time.

[0015] If the vehicle decelerates spontaneously due to rapid braking, forced downshifts and upshift blocks can be activated. This activation can take place as a function of an adjustable parameter. Likewise, the upshift block can be deactivated by an adjustable factor at the driver's wish.

[0016] These parameters are modified by the driver. For that purpose an interface with the transmission electronics must be provided, which is connected to an input unit by means of which the signals for parameter modification are input to the transmission electronics. The input unit can for example be the radio. The driver enters a certain code number via the radio keys and thereby modifies the selected parameters of the adaptive driving strategy.

[0017] The parameters can also be modified via re-writable CD-ROMs, diskettes, a laptop which can, for example, communicate with the navigation system, or a CD player or the memory function of the seat adjustment. A PC program can be used to modify the parameters via convenient menus.

[0018] Furthermore, a personal transponder card that enables access to the vehicle can be used to preselect corresponding driver-related strategies. 

1. Method for modifying a defined adaptive driving strategy, which is stored in the control system for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle as a function of a plurality of parameters that characterize a particular type of driver and his driving style and a plurality of parameters that characterize the motor vehicle and the way it drives, characterized in that to adapt to another driver type with a different driving style the parameters used for the driver type evaluation are modified by the said other driver, the data required for this being input to the transmission electronics by means of an input unit and an interface with the said electronics.
 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the longitudinal acceleration evaluation.
 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the transverse acceleration evaluation.
 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the starting behavior evaluation.
 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the kick-down evaluation.
 6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the filtering parameter for the upper and lower specification limits of driving activity.
 7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the filtering parameter for the contributions of the individual evaluations.
 8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the parameter for curve recognition.
 9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the parameter which blocks an upshift when the accelerator pedal is released spontaneously.
 10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the parameter which triggers a forced downshift when the vehicle decelerates spontaneously.
 11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modifiable parameter is the parameter which increases the driving activity when the accelerator pedal is depressed rapidly.
 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the driving activity is increased by increasing the evaluation counter.
 13. Method according to any one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the parameters are modified by applying delay times to them.
 14. Method according to any one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the parameters are modified by applying offsets to them.
 15. Method according to any one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the parameters are modified by means of factors.
 16. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the on-board radio is used as the input unit.
 17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the data are input to the radio by means of its keys.
 18. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the data are input to the radio by means of the CD player.
 19. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the data are input to the radio by means of the cassette player.
 20. Method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the on-board navigation system is used as the input unit.
 21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the input is effected via a portable computer which communicates with the navigation system.
 22. Method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diagnosis key is used as the input unit.
 23. Method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory keys for the seat adjustment are used as the input unit.
 24. Method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a personal transponder card carried by the driver is used as the input unit. 